Dear Apogaeans,
This is a difficult update to share, especially for the incredible artists who have spent months designing, building, and preparing fire art for this year’s event. After a site visit this week, the Stonewall Fire Department has determined that current conditions on the Apogaea land are too dry to safely allow fire art. This includes all propane fire art and liquid fuel flow art.
While we have received a meaningful amount of rain recently, the land is still experiencing the effects of an extreme lack of rain and snow over the past year. The dryness of the surrounding environment creates conditions where even well-managed fire can pose an unacceptable risk.
We know this decision is heartbreaking. We see the time, passion, creativity, and countless hours our fire artists have poured into their pieces, and we are deeply grateful for the work you have done to bring magic and wonder to our community. We are especially grateful to the artists who are already adapting and exploring creative ways to light, transform, and share their art without flame.
Apogaea has always been built on creativity, participation, and a deep respect for the land that hosts us. Being good stewards of our home and our community means making hard choices when necessary. While we are devastated to lose fire art this year, we cannot in good conscience take the risk of introducing fire under these conditions.
While this year’s event may look different than what many of us envisioned, Apogaea has always been a space for a community that thrives on creativity, adaptability, and finding inspiration within constraints. Some of the most memorable moments in Apogaea’s history have come from unexpected circumstances. We look forward to co-creating and discovering what Mythos & Mechanica becomes through the imagination and ingenuity of this community.
Apogaea will still be Apogaea. ❤️ There will be magic this year. Bring your lights, LED flow toys, light up clothes, blinky’s, and all things UV reactive and glow in the dark! The imagination, the art, the connection, and the weirdness that make our event what it is will be everywhere, and we cannot wait to experience the creations our community brings. We look forward to connecting with you in a few days.
With Love and Care,
The Apogaea Board of Directors